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Wenatchee officials report major water-main break, utility-billing migration and police staffing progress
Summary
City staff reported a 10-inch cast-iron water-main break that affected nine businesses and left a sinkhole, outlined a utility-billing software migration affecting about 12,000 customers, and reviewed recent police promotions and recruitment plans.
WENATCHEE — City staff reported on a major water-main failure, a forthcoming utility-billing system migration and recent police department staffing moves at the city council’s first meeting of the year.
Public works staff told the council that on a recent Monday at about 10 a.m. a 10-inch cast-iron water main on Wenatchee Avenue north of Fifth Street split along roughly 20 feet of pipe, washing out sand beneath the roadway and creating a large sinkhole. "Good news is there was no injuries," the staff member said, and crews used about 110 cubic yards of gravel to backfill the excavation; a more permanent road patch is planned later in the year. The incident affected nine businesses; city staff credited in-house crews for carrying out the emergency response without invoking an emergency contracting procedure.
Finance staff said the city is transitioning to a new utility-billing software that will affect about 12,000 utility customers. The online payment portal will be taken offline around January 31 during migration and is expected to return around February 16; customers currently using online payments will likely need to re-register and re-enter card information. Staff emphasized training and additional customer assistance during the transition.
The police chief updated the council on recent promotions and recruitments: Albert Gonzalez and Miguel Ruiz were promoted to sergeant; Caleb Amell and Andy Wilson were promoted to corporal; a new recruit, Anthony Castro, started training and will attend the Basic Law Enforcement Academy in Pasco in February; and Giselle Rodriguez began work as records assistant. The chief said professional staff are at full strength (13 of 13) and the department has 43 of 48 authorized sworn positions filled with plans to hire six officers this year and two retirements pending.
Council members thanked staff for the rapid emergency response and for preparations to support customers through the billing transition. The meeting adjourned after brief committee scheduling discussion.
